How To Stop Gambling?
$6,000 Welcome Bonus
Gambling may seem like a fun, harmless activity to begin with. However, for some people, it can progress into psychological dependency and an unhealthy obsession. It is a progressive disorder that can ruin a person physically, financially, and socially. It is classed as an impulse-control disorder, and compulsive gamblers are unable to control their impulses even when it brings negative consequences in their life. Gambling addiction is associated with mood disorders like depression, ADHD, stress, BPD, and even Migraine. A gambler keeps on investing more and more money into gambling as he/she chases the losses, with a high risk of getting drained financially. One may also get alienated from society as an outcome of the problem.
Nowadays, gambling has proliferated into virtual platforms as well, most of them being online casinos readily available on the internet. For example, sites like PlayCasinoscanada.com reveal the best online casinos in Canada to gamblers with just one click, thereby making online gambling very handy. As many as 10 million Americans live with gambling addiction. The process of bringing a compulsive gambler back into normal life is not easy, but the points mentioned below can turn out to be a great solution:
Understand the Problem
A person has a gambling problem if he/she gambles with keeping larger amounts of money at stake, sometimes resorting to borrowing in the process. The person may lie to his friend, co-worker, or a family member regarding his gambling problem, may skip his/her essential activities for gambling, and feel restless or irritated when not allowed to gamble.
The first step towards healing is self-realisation. However, self-realization is tough for someone who is addicted to gambling, and it can be aided by a family member or a friend. If your loved one has a gambling problem, you should talk it out with the person make him/her aware of the gambling habits and the potentially dangerous outcomes of it. The person needs constant support at the time of difficulty.
Join a Support Group
Gambling support groups are organisations that are maintained by people who used to suffer from gambling addictions in the past. Even though support groups lack professionals, they are helpful in making a fellow gambler understand the problems associated with gambling. Support groups are absolutely free, and one can talk with them in person or in online chat rooms.
Gamblers Anonymous is one such support group that follows a 12-step approach to help fellow gamblers and guide them towards recovery.
Find Alternatives to Gambling
One can distract himself/herself with healthier alternatives to overcome the urge of gambling. A person’s dependency on gambling is due to a wide range of social, psychological, and financial issues that can be solved by other methods.
For example, taking part in a sport can help a gambler to mitigate the excitement or the rush; socializing in a club, a social event and spending more time with family or friends can help in overcoming loneliness; trying something creative like art, music, reading,meditation, exercise, and travelling can help in relaxing and borrowing money from a bank in times of financial crisis are some of the healthier alternatives that can be followed instead of gambling.
Avoid Temptation
Getting over one’s temptation to gamble is a massive step in the process of recovery. To avoid a relapse, creating a list of triggers by taking the help of a close one who is aware of the gambler’s addiction and its triggers can turn out to be helpful.
For example, meeting a person who is also involved in gambling should be skipped, watching sports that increase one’s temptation to bet should be avoided, taking a different way home to avoid driving by a casino, and restricting one’s daily expenditure are some of the steps that can be followed.
Postpone Gambling
Addressing the issue carefully can reduce the control of the addiction over a gambler. Once the person has control over his/her own thoughts and actions, it is easier for him/her to resist the temptations. Introspection is the key in this process. A plan of action can be followed to postpone the habit of gambling. Consulting a professional can also be considered.
Conclusion
A gambler is always at the risk of his/her life spiralling downwards. If you experience someone close getting addicted to gambling, it is our duty as responsible members of society to help the person in need. Whether you’re a family member, a friend, a partner, or even a neighbour, such co-operations can help in the betterment of an individual, bettering society as a whole in the process.
